Eating Disorders are a common side effect of Posttraumtic Stress Disorder. Many Survivors experience one form or another of ED’s including Bingeing, Bulimia (Bingeing & Purging), Anorexia, Exercise Bulimia, or EDNOS which is a non-specified combination of symptoms.

Definitions:

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.
Symptoms Include:
1. Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level
2. Intense fear of weight gain
3. Feeling overweight despite dramatic weight loss
4. Loss of menstrual periods
5. Extreme concern with body weight and shape

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food–more than most people would eat in one meal–in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising.
Symptoms Include:
1. Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
2. Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness
3. Purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
4. Frequent dieting
5. Extreme concern with body weight and shape

Binge-eating Disorder (Compulsive Overeating) is characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a binge. People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.

EDNOS can include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating disorder. While these behaviors may not be clinically considered a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous and emotionally draining. All eating disorders require professional help.

How to Tell if You Have Eating Disordered Thinking
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do you avoid eating meals or snacks when you`re around other people?
2. Do you constantly calculate numbers of fat grams and calories?
3. Do you weigh yourself often and find yourself obsessed with the number on the scale?
4. Do you exercise because you feel like you have to, not because you want to?
5. Are you afraid of gaining weight?
6. Do you ever feel out of control when you are eating?
7. Do your eating patterns include extreme dieting, preferences for certain foods, withdrawn or ritualized behavior at mealtime, or secretive bingeing?
8. Has weight loss, dieting, and/or control of food become one of your major concerns?
9. Do you feel ashamed, disgusted, or guilty after eating?
10. Do you worry about the weight, shape, or size of your body?
11. Do you feel like your identity and value is based on how you look or how much you weigh?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you could be dealing with disordered eating. It is likely that these attitudes and behaviors are taking a toll on your mental and physical well being. It is important that you start to talk about your eating habits and concerns now, rather than waiting until your situation gets more serious than you can handle.

How to Help a Friend with an Eating Disorder
You cannot force someone to seek help, change their habits, or adjust their attitudes. You will make important progress in honestly sharing your concerns, providing support, and knowing where to go for more information!

Tips:
1. Learn as much as you can about eating disorders. The National Eating Disorder Association Website contains very helpful information!
2. Know the facts vs the myths of dieting, nutritian, exercise, and weight.
3. Talk openly with the person about your concerns.
4. Be caring but firm. Do not allow them to manipulate you into believing they are okay when they are clearly sick
5. Compliment their inner beauty, successes, goals, and accomplishments. Remind them how spectacular they are!
6. Be a healthy role model. Eat healthily around them! Make them feel at ease at meals.
7. Tell an authority figure about your concerns. Don’t wait until the situation is dire to tell someone. It may be too late!